Ireland Ukrainian mother on trial for attempted murder of eight-year-old daughter in Limerick
A Ukrainian mother is on trial at the Central Criminal Court, Limerick, for the attempted murder of her eight-year-old daughter, who sustained 79 stab wounds from a kitchen knife at a temporary accommodation centre on 27 September 2022. The girl survived after open-heart surgery at Crumlin Children's Hospital, Dublin.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court13 Jan
2 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports26 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe girl said her mother came over with a big kitchen knife and started hitting her in the bed. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe girl said the knife hit her stomach, chest, back, arms, and leg. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe mother dragged the girl from the bed into the bathroom. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe bed was covered in blood when the girl looked back while being dragged. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe mother continued to hit the girl with the knife in the bathroom. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe girl was bleeding heavily and had sustained in excess of 70 knife wounds. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThere was a phone charger cable in the girl's hair. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe girl was found lying in a shower tray in blood-soaked clothing next to a discarded steak knife. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe girl sustained 79 stab wounds. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe girl was transferred to Crumlin Children's Hospital for open-heart surgery and general surgery to repair knife wounds to her chest, back and arms. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe incident occurred at a temporary accommodation centre in the midwest region. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe incident occurred at a temporary accommodation centre in Limerick. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe incident occurred on 27 September 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe alleged attack took place on 27 September 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe girl spoke to investigating gardaí two months after the incident. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe mother is charged with one count of attempted murder of her daughter. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe mother is charged with one count of attempted murder. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe trial is being held at the Central Criminal Court, sitting in Limerick. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe jury consists of seven men and five women. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe defence said they would not cross-examine the girl. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe trial is being presided over by Judge Kerida Naidoo. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe prosecuting barrister is senior counsel Lorcan Connolly. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe trial began the previous Monday and is before a jury of seven men and five women. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe family fled to Ireland in 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe mother had previously made two failed attempts to return to Ukraine. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe mother told a resident she was concerned about her mental state and that of her husband, who was suffering from mental health issues. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 14 Jan2026Garda found eight-year-old ‘gasping for breath’ after alleged knife attack by mother, court hears
Trial evidence from a garda witness describing finding the girl in a shower tray with multiple stab wounds, the girl's own account of the attack given to gardaí two months later, and testimony from a resident who heard the girl's screams. The mother pleaded not guilty and said 'I was out of my mind at that time.'
victim, 8, female, non-irish (judged from name)accused, female, non-irish (judged from name) - 13 Jan2026Mother told girl ‘I am going to kill you’ during alleged stabbing, court hears
Reports on the opening days of the trial, including the girl's recorded DVD interview played in court, the prosecution's case centred on mental health and intent, and details of the alleged stabbing with a kitchen knife and phone charger cable used as a ligature.
victim, 8, female, non-irish (judged from name)accused, female, non-irish (judged from name)